New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-10-16
,r.s.nsay s,se h.r tt6ablsd mind untolaed itsslf

NV dear huI0," bnS bniu, o.y
We've cot a shooting party next week, and I'm
In the most dreadful despair you can lmae'he'
but whyp Have any Of the guns failed T"
spoke sportingly recollecting the Marquis.
"No. nv dear, but the wives OF two guns
"Oh. the wiveslo said lightly, my thoughts
still recalling Lord Baliymores conVersaVioh'
THAT doesn't seem much of a disaster"
aft is disaster, said Lady Dovcdale signing
"because have to combat several adverse inhu-
ences It's all very well for Dovedah to consider.
as he does, only the men and the game ana an
that, but shall be shut up for three mortal
days with one woman who is aggressiveE hgh
church and another who is annoyinely low church;
and third who writes on all kinds OF horrid
broad topics for the reviews. Don't you see that
I want two comfortable pillow like women IKE
those / have lost, to hefp to keep the peace, II
nothing else? Why, of them would have
sung-positively a beautiful thrilling contralto
accompanying herself, so that there would have
been no trouble with her; and the other travels
with lot OF silver knick-knacks and birthday auto
graph books that keep people quiet till luncheon
and she paints little oval portraits in water
color so that there's smell of oil, and gives
everybody large eyes and long eyelashes!"
How very, very sad" was all that could
find to say.
And has caught an Influenza con-
tinued Lady Dovcdale discontcntcdly, and the
other has to 20 into mourning, which docsn
affect the man, of course
Il wish l could help you, dear Lady Dovedale."
said l.
"IIow wish you could, but-dcar me! Couldn't
your 1T would be a real ia 'or If you would
come, and forgive short notice and all my en-
plantations. 1t does seem Ike asking you as stop
gap though, that the worst OF it,"
IL love being asked as a stop gap" | said
with truthful enthusiasm; dear Lady Dovedaie
L shall be delighted TO come"
How good you are, Ruth! You you are
mott mean YOU arc neither one thing nor the
al 10
never annoy the men no. that indeed you don {!
ADDED Lady Dovcaale with little laugh. Why
you Will be Il real comfort to us all"
l felt that l should truly be as welcome as a
bottle OF soothing syrup, but l was not unwilling
TO play any part. | like Lady Doyedac also,
London is very dull Just now, and that Lew
lavender gray gown VIII get quite spoilt if il is
not worn soon; and-wcil, why SHOULD 1 not own
II, this brass lock being SOLID and secure?
There was the Marquis TO think about. CouSc-
quently l felt it easy to cheer Lady Dovcdale
Equally was 1t to my taste set Off for Waterloo
station this afternoon, alter swallowing an ear l.,
luncheon.
| arrived at the station barely in time to
catch the train, however, that / unable 10
choose my place, and hustled by IA we'll
meaning but disagrccable official INTO a carriage
containing only two elderly gentlemen, strangers
to me. 1t was rather cold, SO | pulled the high
fur collar OF my cloak well up over my ears,
so that | was just beginning TO realize a sense of
COnlOft, anu III may say SO) uONnE SnOOIlnchS,
when we arrived at a junction, the name OF which
was vOcilcrOusly shouted. The door was roughly
thrown open, and found myself obliged to lght
and face the cold air the platform. There IA
lew Passengers, amongst whom | could not dis
tngush Lord Ball more, were already dlscon-
solatcly grouped, surrounded by MAIDS, Wallets,
gun cases. fur rugs, and bags of lcvIathan pro-
portions all apparently waiting to bc forwarded
to the Dovedales
A lolitc station master soon come to the rescue,
and we were presently deposited by instruments
IN the chilly carriages oil the SLOW tram which
TO convey 10y bianch line TO our ultI-
mate destination. Needless to say, all stared
in the hoe OF obtaining clcw of one another's
IDENTITY L came speedily to Il conclusion That
the long Visascd ang uidr lady opposite me
represented the high church creed whilst a stout
and comfortable looking dame at the end OF the
carriage, who smiled III everything and every body,
seemed specially designated for "A Methodist. The
husband my VIsa-NlS had reiterated to the
smoking carriage; but a dai per little man VINO
was the spouse Of the stout lady remained with
us, and be- vIctln to his wlic's smIi', winch
ruled HIM with ron command, fetched and
carried and wrapped her round and picked up
her things, and otherwise occupied himself
her service without ceasing. There were no other
occul ants OF our carriage; but when We reached
uranmesnl station tie other guests appeared
from adjoining carriages AM went with " to-
ward where, in the wlntry twilight, flashed
the lam,s oil three four vehicles sent for
benefit Anastaslc Is an admirable tIaNcIltf. She
was certain, | knew, 10 look after herself and
my luggage also, so that my one object during
this short walk TO cIudc the companiOnShIp
OF the two LADIES with whom had Just travel Il.
| therefore stood IN the dark shadow Of the
station doorway whilst the inst carriage, II
smart brCugham with two fiery horses, drew up.
had iOrcsccn exactly what was ABOUT To happen;
after some com. llmcntary demur, tic two l''Ics
entered tine brougham and drOve oil. Let Us nope
that they did not embIttcr their sccluslOn by
polemlcal discussion AS l emerged hom my
lIOiectYlg doorway, another lady, vino had re-
sorted to an artiice resembling mine, having
apparently iiatiencd herself against dark VIII
uOW, now advanced smiling. Sic was a iair,
Iiagii,- !OUiIlng woman. with "A most InhO,cn
face large ticmulous blue cy ., which 1
admired by the lICkcrlng lam light As We / 9Th
came forward from opposite uircCtl0ns, the gen
llcmcn. OF wnom thctc were i've or SIX, seemed
what SURPRISED at our apparluonS; but We
most us jumped III, hge l'uy p-Bled, INTO IA
Ia &c ana comfortable omnibus, whist "A cOupl,
Of the youngest men Clmlcd into a dOg-Cart,
ana the servants and lortcfs, carrying enormous
roads Of lu- meandcrcd slowly In tie direction
vi the ines.
Without waiting for nything except Il few
stray gun and hat boxes tossed upon our
roof, omnibus rattlcd oil mcrrly. / lOund
myself seated beside the fraglle-loolng lady, and
wondering ali the while where the strong minded
reviewer could possibly have slowed herself away
We all talked and laughed and got on very we'll
like house on fire, as Cousin George would say
by the time We reached GranmcsIIil Court had
all become the best OF friends / he fragile look ng
lady 1 found to be by no means stupid as she
looked. The high church husband being II yer
slstent smoker, had taken his place the box
and the dappcr little Methodist, who evil
IDENTITY what the Scotch call holden down." alr
pcared greatly TO enjoy his temporary liberty
There al4o two very pleasant and laxative
young men.
Arrived at last, we were all turned out dazcd
and blinking into the well 1T hall, where We
discarded our outer wrais and shook out our
pluines and feathers. In an inner hail. or rather
corridor, found Lady Dovedale, her lips utter
ing gracious welcome her hands dispensing cups
OF tea. by her side Was her niece, IA pretty young
girl, and 10 and behold from the depths of
an immense rocking-chair emerged the Marquis
who had arrived by Il morning train.
Glad to you, Mrs. Toovcy," quoth he coolly;
unexpected pleasure. ell r"
quite uneX icctcd," / replied, drawing myself